This is a very well written piece about the top ten rule, but I wish the author would have put more of their opinion into it. I can tell their friend that was placed in the CAPs program wasn't a fan of the rule, but I didn't get a clear picture from the author.Yes, I don't think the top ten rule is fair, but others still do have a chance of getting into the University of Texas. I would know, I am one of them. I was not top ten at my class. I was in the top quarter. I think its about 30% of those admitted each year are not a part of the top ten percent of their graduating class. I was the class of 2004, so I guess the 2003 class was just a little unlucky. Each high school does differ educationally, but the admissions office does take this into consideration. They are going to look at other things besides just the class rank and see if they are capable of success at the University. I mean, just look at me if you want an example.

Getting to know the public

Recently, I was listening to a morning radio show. One of the DJs went out into the street holding pictures of public government figures and pictures of famous celebrities. He asked random people on the street to identify each one of them. Not suprisingly, most people knew all of the celebrities and about one of the government figures. This time he used those running for President, but before he held up pictures of the candidates running for Austin mayor.
It was amazing to see how little people knew about the government in the city that the lived in. I believe that this is the fault of both the Texas government and the public. Especially living in Austin, the state's capitol, the citizens should know those who hold office or who is running for office.
The government should do more to reach out to the public. They could make more public appearances or advertising. The government seems so far out of peoples reach. This could also be the fault of the public's education. They see pictures of famous celebrities and hear about their latest arrest or party in the news, and they don't even know what is going on in their own city. The citizens should look in the newspaper every now and then and see what new things are going on in the legislature.
Recently, celebrities have tried to get involved in publicizing government by the get out and vote campaign, or whatever it was called. MTV hosted specials on each of the candidates running for President and encouraged everyone to go and vote. It is sad that so many people in Texas don't care enough to vote. They think that since they live in a conservative state, their vote doesn't matter.
Both the government and the public need to put more effort into this problem. Those who run our state should be just as well known as what dress Jenifer Lopez wore to the Grammys.